Hacksaw Ridge

Mel Gibson retells the gruesome, gritty horrors of battle though the heroism of Desmond Doss (played by Andrew Garfield) a US army medic and conscientious objector who saved 75 lives in Okinawa, Japan.

Filmed in Australia, the movie features an all-star cast of local actors including Sam Worthington, Hugo Weaving, Teresa Palmer, Rachel Griffiths and Luke Bracey as well as Hollywood star Vince Vaughn.

The film shows Doss as a humble country kid shaped by his beliefs and strong morals who enlists as a volunteer. Doss refuses to bear arms or take another person’s life, subjecting him to harsh treatment and bullying at the hands of his comrades and superiors.

Doss is court marshalled and faces a jail sentence, forcing him to stand up for his beliefs and fight for his right to protect his country and save lives.

In typical Mel Gibson fashion, the film shows war as it is. The realistic action scenes use exceptional cinematography skills to send a strong message about the immense human casualty of war. Endless explosions, gunfire, mortars, flamethrowers and shocking injuries are outshone by the heroism of Doss who was ultimately awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Hasksaw Ridge is set to become another classic World War II action film with a message of heroism and a question mark over the merits of war.